Guillen looks at new chapter in cricket life

T&T opening batsman Justin Guillen is looking to build on his impressive century in the local trial match and force his way into the team for the upcoming Champions League in South Africa. Guillen, playing for the Jason Mohammed team slammed 114 not out off 72 balls with 14 fours and three sixes, to catch the eyes of the selectors, and was chosen for the Florida matches against Jamaica on August 10 and 11. Speaking to the Guardian yesterday, the soft spoken left hander said: “I am feeling good at the moment with my batting and that is important going into any tournament. We have two matches against Jamaica in Florida and I am looking to make the best out of it and build on my current momentum.”

 

 

Guillen, who has been plagued by lapses in concentration after getting good starts, is now confident of getting past that mental barrier. “I would normally get into the 30s and 40s and after doing all the hard work, I would just throw it away. However, I have been doing some mental exercises and have been in constant conversation with David Williams the technical director and I am seeing a difference. 

“Just reflecting on the century in the last innings there and it tells me that I can get over that obstacle.” Guillen has been in good form during the trials and topped it off with that unbeaten century. “He has been touted long ago as a future leader of this nation’s cricket team and he will be looking to cement his place on the team to make conditions right, to take on the mantle of leadership some day. 

 

 

“I am just trying to work as hard as I can and control the things that I can do. I am really looking forward to getting more consistent scores and then taking it step by step from that point.” This year, Guillen became the most successful captain in the history of the illustrious Queen’s Park Cricket Club, when led them to a second treble success on the domestic scene. Manager of the team Omar Khan said everyone knows of Justin’s ability and he is looking forward to great things from the Parkite. “Justin has the potential, we all know of his tremendous ability and he just needs to be consistent and he would get to where he wants. “He needs to be more careful with his shot selection and he will get the kind of scores he got in the trials. He is a West Indies ‘A’ team player and has impressed the national selectors who wants him on the side. We are looking forward to great things from him.”